sputtering
Bombardment-induced surface erosion
Sputtering is the act of making rapid popping or spitting sounds, often while speaking incoherently or with difficulty: The engine sputtered and died.
A person sputters when flustered, angry, or at a loss for words: He sputtered in outrage but couldn't form a coherent sentence.
Things that sputter proceed haltingly or unevenly: The economy sputtered along without real growth.
Involuntary speech repetition
- haltingMarked by hesitation
- stumblingWalking clumsily, almost falling
- mumblingIndistinct, quiet speech
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
broken · garbled · incoherent · fragmented · interrupted · babbling · slurred · rambling
Microwave-generating vacuum tube
- thin-filmUltra-shallow material layer
- plasmaElectrified matter state
- vacuumAbsence of matter
- argonUnreactive element eighteen
cathode · substrate · nanoparticles · etching · semiconductor · microfabrication · dielectric · adhesion
Wax stick with wick
- wickFuel-drawing cord
- torchHandheld burning light source
- flickeringShining unsteadily, intermittently
- dyingCeasing to live
guttering · fizzling · embers · smoldering · kindling · extinguishing · wax · kerosene
Failure to discharge
- carburetorEngine fuel-air mixer
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
idle · backfire · choke · knocking · exhaust · piston · valve · diesel
stammering
Involuntary speech repetition
- haltingMarked by hesitation
- stumblingWalking clumsily, almost falling
- mumblingIndistinct, quiet speech
hesitation · broken · garbled · incoherent · fragmented · interrupted · babbling · slurred · rambling · unclear
magnetron
Microwave-generating vacuum tube
argon · cathode · substrate · nanoparticles · etching · semiconductor · microfabrication · dielectric · adhesion · microstructure
candle
Wax stick with wick
- wickFuel-drawing cord
- torchHandheld burning light source
- flickeringShining unsteadily, intermittently
dying · guttering · fizzling · embers · smoldering · kindling · extinguishing · wax · kerosene · lantern
misfire
Failure to discharge
- carburetorEngine fuel-air mixer
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
cylinder · idle · backfire · choke · knocking · exhaust · piston · valve · diesel · turbo
struggling
Experiencing serious difficulty
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- failingFlaw in one's nature
- stumblingWalking clumsily, almost falling
floundering · stalling · unsteady · inconsistent · erratic · declining · weakening · flagging · fading
- machine soundshumming, buzzing, whirring, clanking, grinding
- plumbing problemsleak, leaks, clog, clogs, burst pipe
- shock reactionsgasp, wide eyes, jaw drop, shocked face, open mouth
- coatingspaint, enamel, varnish, primer, glaze
- surface treatmentselectroplating, anodizing, galvanizing, chrome plating, nickel plating
- Unscripted Speechad-lib, improv, impromptu speech, winging it, rambling
sputteringeloquent
Fluent and persuasive
silver-tongued · articulate · fluent · smooth-talking · glib
sputteringpurring
Vibrating vocalization of contentment
humming · firing on all cylinders · roaring · steady · idling
sputteringsurging
Rising with sudden force
thriving · soaring · flourishing · accelerating · steaming ahead
- sputtering outEnding in fitful gasps